Entrepreneurship is great for so many reasons. From having more flexible work hours to being your own boss and everything in between, it’s no wonder more and more people are starting their own businesses, especially women.

But running a business, no matter how big or how small, is no easy feat. Laura Miller, president of Ink from Chase, shared her tips for female entrepreneurs.

Want to make sure your business is successful? Follow these five important steps.

1. Get social … media, that is. There’s no doubt that social media presence is important to a business’s marketing strategy.

“Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter or even Pinterest, social media has proven to be a good conduit to business results, including sales leads, third-party endorsements and purchases,” Miller said.

And if you’re not familiar with social media, Miller suggested you take online courses to understand how to use such platforms to build up your business.

“Quite simply, social media must be viewed as a forum for interacting with customers and conducting day-to-day business,” she added.

2. Use your networks. Being a small business owner is stressful, so use your network to form a reliable support system. Miller said it helps to have a peer or mentor who understands what you’re going through and can help you navigate any potential problems you may face.

“Joining industry groups is a good way to create a personal network of support,” she said. “Professionals within these groups can provide a great sounding board for new ideas, frustrations and genuine dilemmas.”

Don’t have the free time to network in person? Miller suggested turning to online communities instead.

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